Pictured above are the nibs of three fountain pens. Clockwise from the top right they are a Diplomat, a Waterman and an Ohto Tasche. For those of you who don’t know, I happen to love a good fountain pen. It’s mostly due to the amount of writing I still do with pen and paper — it gets a lot easier when the tools are both durable and comfortable.

I purchased the Diplomat for myself back in the early 90s, while the other two were birthday gifts. Incidentally, the two that were gifts have performed consistently better than the one on which I spent my own money. I figure that’s worth mentioning, given the occasion — which could be any or all of the following:

• the 233rd anniversary of the first signing of the Declaration of Independence. I know people generally believe this to have happened on the fourth, but the initial signing actually did happen on the second.
• the exact midpoint of any non-leap year.
• my birthday.

Comments

• July 2, 2009, PJ writes: So I presume it's all of the above? Well, I hope you have an excellent bday!
• July 2, 2009, Robin writes: Happy Birthday Baby Brother! May be we can hit the Garlic Rose the next time you come for a belated celebration.

whoever you are
however you arrived here
take a step inside

Comments

• July 1, 2009, Anthony writes: Most of my blog guests are Google searching for "Paula Creamer's hairy arms" or "Man with the smallest penis." It's a classy bunch!
  Most of them should take a step outside and look in. :)
• July 2, 2009, howard writes: are those just examples or are they inspired by actual keyword searches? ;)
  
  when I do actually check in with Google Analytics, I usually don't notice the keywords people used to find the site, but occasionally they're just to strange to ignore.
• July 2, 2009, Anthony writes: I write a lot about Paula and the LPGA, so she comes up a lot. I have no idea how the hairy arm part matches, although I did mention in one essay that I get a lot of searches for it, so that one kind of feeds on itself.
  
  I think there was a post a while ago where I ran a photo of a guy with a giant truck and made the analogy that he must be compensating for something else. Otherwise, I can't explain the public's fascination with a small one.

This used to be the Texaco station where I filled up the gas tank when I first started driving. It closed some time ago, and either the owners or the folks in the community opted to turn the old service station structure into a mural. I’m not sure why, but I like it.

Comments

• July 1, 2009, Anthony writes: Around here, they paint old service stations grey - for some reason. I like this better.
• July 2, 2009, howard writes: I've noticed that phenomenon in Jersey, but I didn't think it was an official protocol. now it's got me wondering. whatever the case, I agree -- this does have a slightly more positive effect on my senses.

This piece worked its way through my head after seeing Yuki-ona’s photo of the same name on Flickr. The concept is all hers.

solitary leaf
momentarily visits
hello and goodbye

I experimented with several other shaving systems, but didn’t care for any of them as much as I did the old-fashioned stainless safety razor my grandfather once used. I even picked up a cheap, slightly more modern version of it in a drug store, but it just didn’t seem to work as well as the original. So I gave up hope.

Then, out of the blue, my father found it the other day and passed it along to me again. I tried it out again yesterday. About a half dozen nicks and scrapes later, I realized my safety razor technique had become somewhat less safe. But I’m thinking I’ll give it another go. I’m hoping I can relearn the skill I used to have down pat.

The desire to go back to this practice may have more to do with my having so few direct links to my paternal grandfather, who exhaled his last breath 16 years before I drew my first. Maybe his safety razor is one of those rare links. Or maybe I just liked using it that much.

Comments

• June 27, 2009, Phil writes: My dad shaved with one just like this. He tried to teach me the artform, but I wimped out with one of those Norelco triple head deals. But it's still cool that you are using the same razor as your grandfather. That thing looks like it will last forever!
• June 27, 2009, howard writes: Interesting. My dad shaves with a Norelco triple head razor, too.
  
  And I suspect the safety razor may just last forever. Question is whether I can avoid losing it in the future ;)

yet another handwritten version of one from the book

this life is only
a soul-refining process,
progress optional

Comments

• June 26, 2009, Anthony writes: Age brings perspective. One would hope it also brings growth, but there are plenty of people who choose to do things a certain way because they've always done them. The "progress optional" ones.
  Along the way I think I've been at least 6 different people. Some of them I look back on and don't like all that much. I suppose I have a couple more changes coming.
  At least I hope so.
• June 26, 2009, howard writes: I hope so, too. unfortunately, some of us learn without applying our acquired knowledge (something I can relate to at times), but in the best case scenario, I imagine most of us are due for more changes. hopefully.
• June 26, 2009, Anthony writes: For me, I'm guessing "Curmudgeon" is on the menu at some point. :)

another one recycled from the book

try not to forget
that whatever came before
is our foundation

Comments

• June 27, 2009, EllenS writes: standing on shoulders
  of giants, of peons too.
  Both can send you far
  
  Inspired by HH and Sir Isaac Newton
• June 27, 2009, howard writes: good one :)

remember to breathe
to avoid suffocation
just catch and release

Happy Father’s Day to all the paternal types out there. This year I decided to blog the occasion by posting a handwritten version of a haiku from a couple years ago. I’ll be seeing my father later today, but I wanted to post this slight bit of recognition to kick things off.

father walked me through
the angst of reassembling
all those verbal shards

a foot in the door -
- I am just the undercard,
not the main event

don’t let yourself feel
like there’s nothing remaining,
even if it’s true